Scuba-Diving-Aruba.com: an independent guide to Aruba's shipwrecks, reefs and shore dives.

Before you fly

Aruba Dive Trip Planning

Aruba dive trip planning is easy: the island has steady weather, a busy international airport and diving all year. Here's when to go, how to get there, the entry paperwork and how to time your flight home after your last dive.

Dive boat moored over turquoise water off an Aruba beach with a divi-divi tree, the goal of Aruba dive trip planning

Aruba at a glance

Airport
Queen Beatrix International (AUA), near Oranjestad
Currency
Aruban florin (AWG); US dollars widely accepted
Languages
Papiamento and Dutch; English and Spanish widely spoken
Water
Warm all year; a 3 mm wetsuit suits most divers

When to go

You can dive Aruba in any month. The island is dry and sunny, the trade winds blow from the east almost all year, and the west coast where the diving happens stays sheltered. Aruba also lies south of the main hurricane belt. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November, but storms rarely hit Aruba directly, so the season matters less here than on islands farther north.

The busiest time for tourism is the northern winter, roughly mid-December to April, when flights and hotels cost more and dive boats fill up. Late spring and autumn are often quieter, with the same warm water. If you want a particular boat dive, such as the Antilla in our Aruba wreck diving guide, book ahead in peak season.

Getting there

Aruba's airport, Queen Beatrix International (AUA), has direct flights from many cities in North America, plus connections to Europe and South America. Travellers flying back to the United States go through US customs and immigration in Aruba before boarding, so they arrive as domestic passengers.

Before you travel, every visitor has to complete Aruba's online Embarkation-Disembarkation (ED) card. Fill it in only on the official Aruba government website, check your passport's validity, and check the current entry rules for your nationality before you book. These rules can change.

Getting around

Aruba is small, and most dive centres and hotels are on the west coast between Oranjestad and the north-west tip. Many dive centres collect you for boat dives. If you plan to shore dive, rent a car: it makes it easy to carry tanks to the beaches. Driving in Aruba is on the right. Taxis and public buses cover the main routes.

How many dives to plan

A typical dive holiday in Aruba mixes boat and shore diving. Many divers do two boat dives in the morning, covering a wreck such as the Antilla or the Jane Sea and a reef, then a relaxed shore dive in the afternoon or an easy day off. Over a week, that is enough to see the main wrecks, several reefs and a few shore sites without rushing. Spread the deeper dives across the trip, leave time for rest, and keep your last full day free before you fly.

Choosing a dive centre

Aruba has plenty of dive centres, from large resort operations to small boats. Look for a centre that is affiliated with a training agency such as PADI or SSI, gives a proper briefing before each dive, keeps groups small and is happy to answer questions about its safety equipment, including oxygen on the boat. If you are newly certified or haven't dived for a while, ask for a refresher or an easy first dive. Our learn to dive in Aruba guide covers what to ask if you want to train.

Dive insurance and health

Ordinary travel insurance often excludes scuba diving, or covers only shallow depths. Check your policy, or take out dive-specific insurance that covers treatment in a recompression chamber and medical evacuation. Carry your insurance details on every dive day.

Flying after diving

Plan your last dive around your flight home. Divers Alert Network guidance recommends waiting at least 12 hours after a single no-decompression dive, and at least 18 hours after repetitive dives or several days of diving. Most divers simply keep their last full day for snorkelling, a trip to Arikok National Park or the beach.

  • Complete the online ED card
  • Check passport and entry rules
  • Pack your certification card
  • Check your dive insurance
  • Book boat dives early in peak season
  • Keep the last day dive-free

Packing is simple for warm-water diving. See our Aruba dive gear checklist, and our Aruba reef dive sites guide to choose where to dive first.

Aruba dive trip FAQ

What is the best month to dive in Aruba?

Any month works, because the water stays warm and the west coast is sheltered all year. Late spring and autumn are often quieter and cheaper than the winter peak season.

Does Aruba get hurricanes?

Rarely. Aruba lies south of the main hurricane belt, so direct hits are uncommon, even during the 1 June to 30 November Atlantic season.

How long should I wait to fly after diving in Aruba?

Divers Alert Network suggests at least 12 hours after a single no-decompression dive and at least 18 hours after repetitive dives or multiple days of diving.

Can I pay in US dollars in Aruba?

US dollars are widely accepted, alongside the local currency, the Aruban florin. Change is sometimes given in florins.